US has fired nearly half of its ballistic missile interceptors in defence of Israel

The US launched more than 200 Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) interceptors in defence of Israel, roughly half of the Pentagon's total inventory. Along with this over 100 Standard Missile-3 and Standard Missile-6, were fired from naval vessels deployed in the eastern Mediterranean, US officials told the Washington Post.

The US has depleted nearly half of its total inventory of advanced ballistic missile defence interceptors in defending Israel in the now-paused war with Iran, The Washington Post reported. Some of these missile launchers were relocated from South Korea at the beginning of the conflict.

In contrast, Israel used fewer than 100 Arrow interceptors and nearly 90 David's Sling interceptors to take down Iranian ballistic missiles, some of which were deployed against less sophisticated projectiles launched by Iran-backed groups in Yemen and Lebanon.


"In total, the US fired around 120 more interceptors and engaged twice as many Iranian missiles," a US administration official said.

The conflict between the US, Israel and Iran began on February 28, when the US and Israel targeted Iranian military, naval and air force facilities. The strikes also killed top Iranian leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

The hostilities, which also saw Iran target US allies across West Asia, have been paused following a ceasefire that came into effect on April 8. Since then, Washington DC and Tehran have been engaged in talks aimed at resolving nearly five decades of tensions and hostility.


"The imbalance is likely to worsen if hostilities resume," the official said.

In a statement, the Pentagon defended the balance of military resources used between Israel and the United States.

"Ballistic missile interceptors are just one tool in a vast network of systems and capabilities that comprise a layered and integrated air defence network," Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesman said as per the report mentioned above.

"Both Israel and the United States carried the defensive burden equitably during Operation Epic Fury, which saw both countries employ fighter aircraft, counter-UAS systems, and various other advanced air and missile defence capabilities with maximal effectiveness," Parnell said.

The Israeli government also defended the approach. "Operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury were coordinated at the highest and closest levels, to the benefit of both countries and their allies," the Israeli Embassy in Washington said in a statement. "The US has no other partner with the military willingness, readiness, shared interests, and capabilities of Israel."

If the US and Israel resume hostilities against Iran in the coming days, as President Donald Trump has threatened to do, the US military will expend an even greater share of interceptors, as the Israeli military recently decided to take some of its missile defence batteries offline for maintenance, an administration official said.